They hit a ‘symbolic’ moment this week(Image: Copyright Unknown)

Construction on scores of affordable homes in a grade-II listed city centre showroom has moved a step closer to welcoming in new residents.

Some 89 affordable flats are being built on Laystall Street, at the Piccadilly end of the Northern Quarter. Of these, 58 will be available as rent-to-buy units, and 31 will be priced at social rent levels.

Dovecote House, as the block will be known, is nine storeys tall and built around a grade-II listed former showroom, which has recently been converted into a 5,000 sq ft office building. The £29m project is being developed by housing association Great Places.

The project has now ‘topped out’, a ‘symbolic’ moment in the construction process when builders reach the development’s highest point, said Gavin White, Manchester’s executive councillor for housing and development.

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“The topping out ceremony is always an important and symbolic occasion on any construction project, representing the culmination of months and often years of hard work on site,” he said.

“This project is particularly vital to our housing strategy delivering 89 affordable homes, including 31 for social rent in the heart of the city centre on Laystall Street in the Piccadilly ward. The council is on track to meet our ambitions to deliver at least 10,000 new, council, social and genuinely affordable homes by 2032, providing our residents with a chance to get their foot on the housing ladder, meet local housing need, and ensure they can make Manchester their long-term home.”

Helen Spencer, executive director of growth at Great Places, added: “The development is a testament to our ongoing commitment to partnership working to provide high-quality, affordable homes that meets the needs of Manchester’s communities”

It’s thought the flat will open in spring 2026, and Adam Pickford, manager at Eric Wright construction, outlined what needs to be done: “The project continues to progress well with the brickwork taking shape and the roof works close to completion.

“Next stages include the tower crane removal which will allow the external scaffolding to continue and goods hoist to be installed to allow the internal finishes to progress.”